AeroVironment (AV) has secured a $405 million contract to supply laser weapon systems to an undisclosed customer in the Middle East, strengthening its position in the growing directed-energy weapons market for counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) applications.
The contract covers AV’s LOCUST X3 high-energy laser weapon systems, which are designed to detect, track, and neutralize Group 1–3 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). However, the company has not disclosed the customer’s identity, the total number of systems ordered, or the expected delivery timeline.
The agreement comes amid increasing security concerns across the Middle East, where military forces are facing growing threats from low-cost attack drones, including Iran’s Shahed series. The widespread deployment of these systems has created challenges for conventional air defence networks, particularly due to the high operational costs associated with using missile interceptors against relatively inexpensive aerial threats.
According to AV, the LOCUST X3 system offers a cost-effective solution for countering recurring drone attacks through precision-directed energy technology. As part of the agreement, the company also intends to establish a local maintenance and sustainment facility in the customer’s country. The proposed facility will provide equipment repairs, technical assistance, operator training, and comprehensive lifecycle support.
LOCUST X3 Laser Defense System
The LOCUST X3 is AeroVironment’s third-generation directed-energy weapon system, developed to neutralize small and medium-sized unmanned aerial threats using high-energy laser technology rather than conventional ammunition.
The system integrates advanced sensors and target-tracking software to identify aerial threats and maintain precise laser targeting throughout an engagement. Its AV_Halo Pinpoint fire-control software is designed to sustain accurate laser alignment against moving and maneuvering targets. Additionally, the platform supports integration with external sensors and command-and-control (C2) networks, enhancing its interoperability within broader air defence architectures.
Designed for deployment across both fixed installations and mobile platforms, LOCUST X3 offers operational flexibility for protecting military bases, critical infrastructure, and deployed military formations. Its modular architecture also enables integration into layered air defence systems, supporting coordinated responses to multiple aerial threats.
The latest contract highlights the growing transition of high-energy laser weapons from development and testing phases towards operational deployment. In September, the US Army selected AeroVironment’s LOCUST family for its Enduring-High Energy Laser programme. Under a separate contract valued at approximately $464.8 million, the company is expected to deliver dozens of laser weapon systems, further strengthening the adoption of directed-energy capabilities within modern military air defence operations.
